In 2018, he left SVT for TV4 and over the years he has been TV4’s expert on everything regarding crime and punishment.
At the start of his time at TV4, he became directly involved in the news coverage, starting with two special broadcasts before and after the trial against Peter Madsen, who was then accused of murdering the Swedish journalist Kim Wall. Now, six years later, he has managed everything from crime magazines, a number of different documentaries and a regular appearance in Nyhetsmorgon.
Career at TV4
During his career at TV4, he has also done several seasons of the crime show GW’s Murders, where he analyzed well-known criminal cases that have fascinated him over the years. In 2020, he was also current with Brottsjournalen, together with Jenny Strömstedt, a weekly program about criminal acts and those who commit them.
But his time in the television box has not only been characterized by criminology, crime and punishment. This year he also showed an interest in food when he guest starred as a judge on TV4’s Sweden’s Master Chef.
He should do that instead
Now the criminology professor is stepping away from the TV screen to concentrate on writing instead. The announcement came in Nyhetsmorgon’s live broadcast on Sunday.
– The reason is that I turned 79 a few weeks ago and then I decided to spend the time I have left to finish writing a couple of books that were left lying around, he says.
– It’s nothing more than what I’m saying: I’m going to do something else. I’m going to write a book and that will require my undivided attention and it can’t be reconciled with this, he continues.
He believes that he has enjoyed his time in the television box and emphasizes that he is parting with TV4 “as friends”.
– I have enjoyed these years. Both with the viewers, especially when we have had different ideas about things. That’s when you get to learn a little. Since then, I have enjoyed my employer extremely well. We part as friends.
TV4’s reaction
Viveka Hansson, program director news and society at TV4, praises GW as a valued employee.
– Family and novels must be protected. I wish Leif gets the peace he needs to finish writing his book. Leif has an exceptionally strong sense of duty, and has basically never missed a broadcast in Nyhetsmorgon, she says.
According to her, he is always welcome back.
– Both we and our viewers like him very much and of course our TV4 door is always open. He is a valued colleague with a big heart.
– But everything has its time, Leif has long said that he will work until he turns 80, now there was a novel in between. We are happy that he has been a part of Nyhetsmorgon for so long.
Time with family
GW hopes now to also get time with children, grandchildren and his wife. Nevertheless, the decision was not entirely easy, he believes.
– Yes, it was tricky. Decisions are tricky when they have a big impact on the life you live – and of course it does.